Recently added film courses...

WRITING VIRAL WEB SERIES

Long gone are the days when online video platforms were only about funny cat videos. Today, the web is made of a wealth of original fictions. Both brands and me

Long gone are the days when online video platforms were only about funny cat videos. Today, the web is made of a wealth of original fictions. Both brands and media producers have a strong interest in developing video content to connect with global audiences online. This represents a great opportunity for screenwriters wanting to get their stories produced. ​Aimed at screenwriters and filmmakers interested in creating web series or to get an introduction into the genre, through this course you will learn:

Authored TV Drama

With the explosion of video on demand services such as HBO, Netflix, and Amazon we have seen the birth of the second Golden Age of TV drama. Hollywood talent th

With the explosion of video on demand services such as HBO, Netflix, and Amazon we have seen the birth of the second Golden Age of TV drama. Hollywood talent that even 15 years ago would never have considered working in television are flocking to make this new narrative form which Chris Jury describes as ‘episodic film’. This course guides you through the process of devising and developing your new TV series through to third draft script and series Bible. The course covers the history of television drama, the global television industry, Showrunning, the writing process and how to get from script to screen.

Introduction To Screenwriting

An introduction to the concepts of screenwriting taught through the process of writing a short film. Week by week you will develop your script from a three line

An introduction to the concepts of screenwriting taught through the process of writing a short film. Week by week you will develop your script from a three line premise to a 20 page script. Each week you will receive notes and feedback on your script from the course tutor.

You will be introduced step-by-step to the screenwriting process and to the function and format of the different types of documents used in that process including pitches, outline proposals, step outlines, treatments and scripts.

You will be introduced to the concepts of narrative logic, three act structure, rising jeopardy and to professional techniques for creating successful characters and dialogue.

Want to write longform for Netflix, Amazon, Ch4, BBC... From Procedural to Longform, terrestrial to Netflix and beyond… Two day screenwriting masterclass and

Want to write longform for Netflix, Amazon, Ch4, BBC... From Procedural to Longform, terrestrial to Netflix and beyond… Two day screenwriting masterclass and workshop with John Yorke.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR SHOOTERS... Use code SHOOTERS to get nearly half price for £99. NOTE there are only ten tickets available with this special code.

The primary reason why great ideas (and even developed scripts) written for longform television fail at the final hurdle, is poor structuring.

John Yorke should know. He wrote one of the greatest books on story structure ever written – ‘Into The Woods’ – and as the Golden Globe winning, former head of Ch4 Drama, BBC Drama, Company Pictures, Eastenders showrunner… his resume clearly speaks for itself.

Part lecture, part practical workshop, this two day immersive weekend will elevate your career and project through deep industry insight.

It will offer hyper focused structuring for your narrative, and you will revisit character, theme and genre for your stories, as well as explore industry production formats – who offers the best home for your project and why?

Expect to learn new pitching skills too, as getting industry to lean forward and into your project is the first half of the challenge.

'John Yorke knows story structure inside and out and taught us in a way that was simple, engaging and memorable.'
KT Parker, Screenwriter

The weekend will break down into three focused areas:
The Structure

* Master the single structure that is present in all great stories
* Understand how all other story models fit within this single structure
* Address how structure and character can be successfully integrated into pilots and extended over entire seasons
* Learn to see the DNA beneath your story, characters, premise, situation, action and dialogue
* Learn how that DNA works, how to modify it, and how you can better use it in all your stories moving forward
* Practice rapidly developing stories within this structure

The Business

* Understand the needs of the business, beyond your story and script
* Analysis of the current market place – identifying current and popular trends and how to avoid guaranteed failure
* Learn how your story must adhere to strict industry structure needs and why
* Learn to think like a story development executive or producer in order to meet the needs of the business
* Learn how to remove the road blocks that can cause your deal and project to falter even if it is great writing
* Practice rapid story development and pitching
* Targeting the networks – what they do, what they’re looking for and why you may be better suited to some more than others

Practical Application

* Pitch development – solo and in groups
* Rapid fire pitching – of your own and other people’s projects
* Devising a new TV series from scratch inc. character creation/development, pilot outline, story arc, series arc, story bible

'I understand a lot better now how to create a premise that works for commissioners, what questions they ask, and how to pitch it.'
Kristina Day //Screenwriter

Plus on both days, John will be inviting special industry guests to speak about their careers past and present, breaking in, the current ever evolving landscape of the business, what the commissioners are looking for in writers and their projects and how to get your scripts onto their desks.

After selling out his one day seminar for the past two years, John is expanding the class and introducing more practical exercises exclusively for this weekend. Expect breakthrough after breakthrough clearing a path for you to fulfill your greatest potential.

Here’s what previous delegates had to say about John...

‘John Yorke gave the best explanation and POV on story structure I’ve ever heard!’
Mike O’Reilly, Screenwriter

When you create a narrative, you want it to move people and make them think.

But what elements will reall

Emotions and ideas are what stories are all about.

When you create a narrative, you want it to move people and make them think.

But what elements will really communicate the thoughts and feelings you intend?

And how can you be sure that you're creating a truly satisfying emotional journey, which becomes richer as the story develops?

This workshop gives writers in all genres the tools to answer these questions.

Drawing on cutting-edge techniques from recent TV series as well as forgotten methods from classic films and prose fiction, it shows how narratives can be designed to evoke suspense, anticipation, surprise, shock, and powerful reversals of expectation.

We'll also see how narrative design helps to define visual and sound design, characterisation, and other elements, ensuring that they work together to support a story.

The workshop is illustrated with carefully-chosen clips and applies to writing screenplays and prose. It includes a short story to be read before the day.

​Feedback from the workshop:

"Very to-the-point and detailed ... I would recommend it to a wide range of writers who are working on diverse projects."

"I'm now thinking about my stories in different ways, and how I can apply what I've learnt."

"Good for provoking new ways of thinking about your projects."

"It covered the topic well, with lots of interesting and useful clips to emphasise key points."

One-to-One Camera and Lighting Training (Manchester)

I'm a professional cinematographer with 15 years shooting experience. Alongside my shooting work I offer bespoke camera and lighting tuition.

I've t

I'm a professional cinematographer with 15 years shooting experience. Alongside my shooting work I offer bespoke camera and lighting tuition.

I've taught APs and researchers how to shoot for primetime programmes Escape to the Country and Grand Designs. I've led filmmaking workshops with young people for the BBC, BFI and National Youth Film Academy, and In 2010 I spent a month teaching filmmaking in Kabul, Afghanistan. I've even taught DSLR basics to Shooting People staff!

If you're wanting to get to grips with your camera, learn how to light for interviews, or want some hands-on experience with equipment you're going to be shooting with in the near future, I can design a short course to help you get your head round things. I'm experienced with all cameras across the board, including the C300, FS7, A7S F55, DSLR, Alexa.

If you'd like to discuss possibilities - on cameras large or small - just drop me a line.

One-to-One Camera and Lighting Training (London)

I'm a professional cinematographer with 15 years shooting experience. Alongside my shooting work I offer bespoke camera and lighting tuition.

I've t

I'm a professional cinematographer with 15 years shooting experience. Alongside my shooting work I offer bespoke camera and lighting tuition.

I've taught APs and researchers how to shoot for primetime programmes Escape to the Country and Grand Designs. I've led filmmaking workshops with young people for the BBC, BFI and National Youth Film Academy, and In 2010 I spent a month teaching filmmaking in Kabul, Afghanistan. I've even taught DSLR basics to Shooting People staff!

If you're wanting to get to grips with your camera, learn how to light for interviews, or want some hands-on experience with equipment you're going to be shooting with in the near future, I can design a short course to help you get your head round things. I'm experienced with all cameras across the board, including the C300, FS7, A7S F55, DSLR, Alexa.

If you'd like to discuss possibilities - on cameras large or small - just drop me a line.